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Abstract:

A window well cover jack that is disclosed. The window well cover jack
has three arms: a base arm, a support arm and an actuator handle, all
connected to aid in the lifting of a window well cover and allow egress.
In one embodiment, the jack is lockable in a stowed position. It is also
possible to add a spring assist to aid in the lifting of a window well
cover. Ideally, the window well cover jack is also lockable in a deployed
position to aid in holding an ajar window well cover so as to facilitate
escape. A simple link, which is easily broken by emergency crews with the
proper tools but secure against intruders without said tools, connects
the window well cover jack to a window well cover.

Claims:

1. A window well cover jack comprising: a. A base arm; b. An actuator
handle hingedly attached to one end of the base arm; and c. A support arm
hingedly attached along the actuator arm; Wherein the support arm is
attached to a window well cover and the base arm depends from an edge of
a window well.

2. The window well cover jack of claim 1, the window well jack being
lockable in a stowed position.

3. The window well cover jack of claim 2, further comprising a mount on a
side of the window well and a removable pin which couples the actuator
handle to the mount, thereby locking the window well cover jack.

4. The window well cover jack of claim 1, the window well cover jack
being lockable in an open position.

5. The window well cover jack of claim 4, further comprising at least one
hole and at least one spring pin that are positioned to mate when the
actuator arm is positioned against the support arm when the window well
cover jack is activated.

6. The window well cover jack of claim 1, the support arm being
adjustable in relation to the actuator handle.

7. The window well cover jack of claim 1, further comprising an assist
spring coupled to the actuator handle, wherein the assist spring aids in
movement of the actuator handle.

8. The window well cover jack of claim 1, further comprising a link,
securable to support arm at an end opposite an end connected to the
actuator handle, said link designed to secure the support arm to a window
well cover grate.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of home security and
more particularly relates to a lockable jack for the lifting of window
well covers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Basement windows are required by law to allow for emergency egress
if the room in which they are situated is used as a living area. This
makes sense in an effort to save lives. However, when complying with this
mandate, a builder must leave a gaping hole, or well, around the window
on the outside. This presents a hazard as people, animals or objects may
then fall into the window well. Covers have been developed to address
this issue. Window well covers are usually a metal grate or a solid
plastic, metal or wood cover that is positioned over the well. These
covers must not hinder egress and must be removable by someone positioned
inside the window without the use of special tools or effort.

[0003] Window well covers must also be easily lifted. Unfortunately
current covers, in particular metal grates, meet the maximum standards
required for weight, which means they can still be difficult for the
elderly or young to lift. This is especially true as the cover must be
either held above the escapee's head as they escape or physically moved
to one side or another, likewise above the escapee's head. Various window
well cover designs have been developed that are spring or shock biased to
aid in the lifting of the covers.

[0004] The problem of security must also be addressed. Window wells can be
a concealed point of access into a dwelling. To prevent this problem,
various locks have been devised that secure the window well cover while
also being relatively easy to unlock. Unfortunately, when the cover is
made easier to lift, it presents a security risk. If the cover is locked
down, it presents a safety risk, both with egress and emergency crew
ingress. What is needed then is a device that addresses all of these
concerns--removing and holding the cover out of the way for safe egress
while also minimizing security risk and allowing for emergency ingress.

[0005] The present invention is a jack for use with window well covers.
The jack is lockable in a stowed position, which serves to secure the
window well cover in a closed position, while removable from the outside
with the proper tools (usually already in possession of emergency crews)
and effort. In use, the jack is unlocked from its stowed position and is
easily and intuitively actuated to lift the window well cover with
minimal effort. The jack also serves as a brace for the window well cover
after it has been lifted.

[0006] The present invention represents a departure from the prior art in
that the jack of the present invention addresses both emergency egress
and security issues associated with window well covers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types
of window well cover devices, this invention provides a lockable window
well cover jack. As such, the present invention's general purpose is to
provide a new and improved window well cover device that is lockable in a
secure position, holding the window well cover shut, while also easily
unlocked and actuated to remove the window well cover and allow for
emergency egress through the window.

[0008] To accomplish these objectives, the lockable window well cover jack
comprises two hinged arms, a base arm and an actuator handle, and a third
support arm hingedly attached to the actuator handle. The base arm
depends from the window well ledge and the actuator handle further
depends from the base arm and is secured to the window well wall at a
locking point. The support arm extends from the actuator handle and is
connected to the window well cover. In use, the actuator handle is
unlocked and thrust upwards. This then forces the support arm and
associated window well cover upwards. When entirely lifted, the arms lock
with respect to each other to hold the window well cover ajar and out of
the way for escapees to egress through the window. The connection to the
window well cover may be broken from the outside, if the cover is a grate
type cover, with a standard pair of bolt cutters found in most emergency
crew equipment. While this allows access to emergency crews, it is a
sufficient deterrent to would-be thieves as most are interested in easy
access and do not carry such equipment. In an alternate embodiment, the
actuator handle is spring biased to further ease the lifting of the
window well cover. It is also an embodiment of the invention to not have
the actuator handle lockable, though this counters the goal of security.

[0009] The more important features of the invention have thus been
outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be
better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art
may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be
described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that
follow.

[0010] Many objects of this invention will appear from the following
description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying
drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference
characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

[0011] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0012] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized
as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for
carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is
important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such
equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit
and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a cut away perspective view of a primary embodiment of
the window well cover jack, installed and stowed.

[0015]FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of a window well cover jack.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the window well cover jack of FIG. 3,
taken in circle A.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the window well cover jack of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the
window well cover jack is herein described. It should be noted that the
articles "a", "an", and "the", as used in this specification, include
plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. With
reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the invention is shown installed in
a window well 1, covered by a grate-type window well cover 2. The
depicted jack has a base arm 5 depending from an edge of the window well
1. The base arm 5 is shown to be secured with the bracket support 17 and
at least one bolt 18, though any conceivable construction may be utilized
so long as it appropriately attached the base arm 5 so it depends from
the edge of the window well 1. An actuator handle 6 depends from the base
arm 5 and is hingedly attached thereto at joint 9. A support arm 3 is
attached to an outer side of the actuator handle 6 and is also secured to
the window well cover 2. In the depicted embodiment, this connection is
made with the U-bolt 4. However, it should be understood that as there
are different types of window well covers, there will also be different
methods for securing the jack to the window well cover, ranging from
mechanical connectors to adhesives, and the disclosure of this particular
attachment method is illustrative and should not be seen as limiting.
This particular embodiment is preferred as the U-bolt 4 may be curt with
bolt cutters, a usual tool in the possession of rescue crews, so as to
free the window well cover 2 from the assembly. However, since intruders
are usually interested in quick access and do not carry large,
specialized tools, like bolt cutters, the connection with U-bolt 4 is a
sufficient deterrent for most purposes. It should be noted that the
connection of the support arm 3 to actuator handle 6 is below the hinge
joint 9 connecting the actuator handle 6 to the base arm 5.

[0019] In the depicted embodiment, the actuator handle 6 is secured
against the window well 1 at a mounting point, such as spring clip 10 by
means of a pin 11. Thus, when need arises, an escapee merely pulls the
pin 11 to release the actuator handle 6. This particular embodiment also
features an assist spring 8 attached to the actuator handle 6 at bolt 7
and the base arm at bolt 12. Bolt 12 may be adjusted with brace and nut
13 to increase or decrease the tension of assist spring 8, more clearly
seen in FIGS. 3 and 5.

[0020] When deployed, FIG. 2, the spring pin 11 is removed, freeing the
actuator handle 6 and allowing it to be pushed upwards. This then forces
support arm 3 and the associated window well cover 2 upwards and away
from the window well 1. As actuator handle 6 rotates, it will eventually
nest support arm 3. At this point, at least one spring pin 20, shown best
in FIG. 4, will interface with a provided hole 19 to secure them
together. This connection of the two pieces locks the jack in an upwards,
deployed configuration and hold the window well cover 2 so that an
escapee may egress though the window. As can be readily conceived, while
the holes 19 are depicted on the actuator handle 6 and the spring pins 19
on the support arm 3, this is readily reversed.

[0021] In the depicted embodiment, the pieces are made to be adjustable to
fit a variety of sizes of window wells. This is done through a series of
holes 16, into which the support arm 3 may be hinged with a pin 14 and
keeper 15, and another series of holes 20 to provide similar adaptability
for the locking condition when the jack is deployed, shown best in FIG.
5.

[0022] In assembly, then, the user positions base arm 5 over the rim of
window well 1 and hangs it there by bracket support 17, secured by
bolt(s) 18. The actuator handle is attached at joint 9 and made to rest
in spring clip 10, which has already been installed in the window well 1.
Support arm 3 is attached to the window well cover 2 (depicted here with
U-bolt 4) and a proper hole from the depicted series of holes 16 on the
actuator handle is selected. A pin 14 is inserted into the appropriate
hole 16 and support arm 3 and secured with keeper 15. The spring bolt 12
may then be tightened or loosened with nut 13 as desired.

[0023] Any suitable material may be used, with a preference for light,
durable and corrosion resistant materials such as plastics and aluminum.

[0024] Although the present invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made
and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No
limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is
intended or should be inferred.